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Punishment for sexual assault formalized

The House of Representatives has endorsed a mandatory minimum sentence of two years
in prison for a member of the armed services convicted of rape or sexual assault in
a military court. The Associated Press reports, "by voice vote, the House approved
the additional punishment as part of a series of steps lawmakers have taken to
tackle the growing problem of sexual assault. The provisions are contained in a
sweeping defense policy bill for the 2014 fiscal year beginning Oct. 1."